Well, the last ten days or so have seen me using the bike a lot more than I expected. I had to attend a meeting in Hackney on Tuesday at around lunchtime, so after the previous weeks ride to Kennington and my utter disdain for both public transport and driving in the Capital, there really was only one option. What followed was a serious amount of mileage that really frazzled both brain and body. So it was Poole to Hackney via the M3, M25, A40, A501 and A107, followed by a trip back to the office via the Blackwall Tunnel, A2 and M25 and to cap it off, a trip back around the M25, through the tunnel to my folks place in North London. In all honesty, looking back, I'm not really sure why I a) went back to the office and b) stayed the night at my parents. Saying that, it was great to see them and I got a decent meal out of it for good measure, but I fear I'm due a speeding ticket thanks to the new average speed cameras on the A40.On Wednesday the heavens opened and knowing how bad the road surface on the M25, especially around the Surrey stretch gets, I had to head through town. So in the rain and fighting through horrid traffic, I took my usual route South via the A406, A205 and A3, but something weird happened. Once I'd gotten past the roadworks on the A406, I was flying. I just had so much confidence in the bike and the tyres I was really enjoying myself. I wasn't pushing hard, but I was making some really great time and I really enjoying the ride, despite the weather. Sadly though my kit was still soaked by the time I headed for home. Can't win them all I guess.Onto today then. The Ducati runs out of road tax at the end of the month and as I know I won't want to ride her until Spring she'll be SORNed over winter. Therefore today I took my final little spin on the Ducati for 2015. It wasn't a massive ride, just a rip down to the coast and Lulworth Cove to have a coffee and head back. My temp gauge claimed 20 degrees...at the end of October. It was lovely and I even had a man come up so me and talk to me about my bike in the queue. He was probably one of the cars I passed on the way there. Hell, it would have been rude not to pass. Lulworth is beautiful and well worth a visit, anytime of year. Sunshine, just makes it sweeter.

The biking week concluded with a little wash of both bikes. I know, how original. Hopefully time and money will allow me to continue the modifications on the Ducati over the winter as I would like to replace both levers and fit a slipper clutch for good measure. I've already got new rearsets to go on, which I bought back in Feb from Conquest Carbon and she is due the Desmo service again in March. I could do with ordering up some stainless steel bolts and this bike sheds them like a cat sheds fur. Better threadlock should be the answer.Despite the Ducati being put away, the FireBlade won't be so lucky. I fully intend to ride that over the winter, although commutes in the real cold (like sub 5 degrees) are highly unlikely unless I invest in some heated kit. There are a few jobs that need to be done on that bike too and I really need to invest in some R&G engine case protectors. Onward and upward.

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Me

My name is Matt Brown and I'm a UK journalist formerly based in London, but now calling the South of England home. I've been riding bikes since 2007, but got hooked straight away. Nothing gives me the feeling of freedom, even when stuck in a city. In 2010 I became a RoSPA gold rider, but when it comes down to it, I'm Just a normal man, riding his bikes as often as he can.